Report  of  the  Commissioners  of 
-Lincoln  Park  1913-1916. 


ILLINOIS  HISTORICAL  8UBVEY 


REPORT  OF 

THE  COMMISSIONERS 
OF  LINCOLN  PARK 

1913  *  1916 


o 


JJrrss  of 

f  trb  J.  fiinglrg  do. 
(Chicago 


His  Excellency  EDWARD  F.  DUNNE, 

Governor,  The  State  of  Illinois.  W1YEB5rN  *  •"»  K 

His  Honor  WM.  HALE  THOMPSON, 

Mayor,  City  of  Chicago. 

The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park — 

TIMOTHY  J.  O'BYRNE,  President, 
NELSON  N.  LAMPERT,  Vice-President 
JOHN  P.  FRIEDLUND,  Auditor, 
BERNARD  JUNG, 
BERTRAM  M.  WINSTON, 
WILLIAM  REHM, 
AUGUST  F.  BRUCHMAN. 

Honorable  Sirs:  — 

Your  keen  interest  manifested  in  the  conduct  of  the  busi- 
ness of  Lincoln  Park  prompted  me  to  gather  for  your  perusal 
a  summary  of  work  accomplished  during  your  administration 
of  Lincoln  Park. 

I  take  pleasure  in  presenting  the  following  report,  com- 
piled as  briefly  as  possible. 


Aimttmstratton 


As  provided  by  law  a  meeting  is  held  by  The  Commis- 
sioners of  Lincoln  Park  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  each 
month. 

The  fact  that  the  monthly  meetings  held  during  the  present 
administration,  with  the  exception  of  a  limited  few,  have  been 
attended  by  the  full  quota  of  Commissioners  is  worthy  of  note, 
and  is  responsible  to  a  marked  degree  for  the  high  standard  of 
efficiency  and  economy  maintained. 

Page  Three 


A  series  of  reforms  instituted  will  be  set  forth  under 
departmental  headings,  to  follow.  However,  especial  attention 
is  called  to  the  fact  that  a  change  in  the  system  of  contracting 
and  paying  of  bills  has  effected  a  great  saving  to  the  taxpayers 
of  the  Lincoln  Park  District. 

The  institution  of  a  General  Stores  Department,  through 
which  all  requisitions  for  supplies  for  the  various  departments 
of  the  Park  must  pass  for  approval,  has  made  duplication  of 
work  and  wasteful  buying  impossible,  and  in  centralizing  the 
stores  it  has  been  possible  to  keep  an  absolute  check  on  all 
materials  purchased  and  to  aid  in  the  economical  purchase  of 
supplies. 

By  the  immediate  dispatch  of  bills  received  and  their 
investigation  and  approval  by  the  requisitioning  department 
head  it  has  been  possible  for  this  administration  to  take  advan- 
tage of  cash  discounts.  The  inauguration  of  this  economy  has 
worked  a  considerable  saving. 

General  Park  work  has  been  accomplished  most  econom- 
ically, due  to  the  fact  that  wherever  possible  working  condi- 
tions have  been  bettered  and  the  employees  have  felt  a  sense 
of  security  in  the  knowledge  that  the  rules  and  regulations  of 
the  Civil  Service  Commission  have  been  fairly,  justly  and  impar- 
tially administered. 

The  policy  prescribed  by  you  to  make  Lincoln  Park  the 
playground  and  recreational  center  of  all  the  people  has  been 
strictly  adhered  to. 

An  idea  of  the  recreational  facilities  offered  the  public 
f  ollows : 

Diversey  Bathing  Beach  Running  Track 
Fullerton  Children's  Bathing     Handball  Courts 

Beach  Volley  Ball  Courts 

Motor  Boat  Docks  Hockey  Fields 

Yacht  Moorings  Ice  Skating  Ponds 

Tennis  Courts  Golf  Course 

Bridle  Paths  Trap  Shooting  Grounds 

Harness  Horse  Speedway  Canoe  Club  House 

Roque  Courts  Grass  Plots  for  Picnics 
Page  Four 


Fly  Casting  Platforms  Boating  Ponds 

Baseball  Diamonds  Dramatic  Clubs 

Rugby  Football  Fields  Dancing 

Soccer  Football  Fields  Wading  Pools 

Swimming  Pools  Outdoor  Gymnasiums 
Indoor  Baseball  Diamonds         Indoor  Gymnasiums 
Basketball  Fields 

Music 

By  decreasing  the  number  of  men  in  the  bands  a  greater 
number  of  concerts  have  been  given  each  year  without  an 
increase  in  cost. 

The  Civic  Music  Association  has  co-operated  with  the 
Commissioners  in  their  effort  to  supply  the  public  with  a  high 
quality  of  music  at  no  expense.  The  Commissioners  have  in 
turn  donated  the  use  of  their  assembly  halls  and  have  attempted 
to  further  the  splendid  work  being  done  by  this  association. 

A  public-spirited  citizen  of  the  north  side  donated  $20,000 
to  the  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park  for  the  erection  of 
a  bandstand.  One  of  the  conditions  of  the  gift  was  that 
the  name  of  the  donor  be  withheld.  The  bandstand  was  built 
of  marble  from  designs  prepared  by  Pond  &  Pond,  and  the 
sculpture  adornments  were  the  work  of  Lorado  Taft.  The  site 
of  this  work  of  art  is  just  south  of  the  Grant  monument. 

Motor  'Buses 

The  Commissioners,  realizing  that  the  boulevards  belong 
to  all  the  people  and  not  to  the  few  owning  automobiles,  made 
a  long  and  careful  study  of  the  proposed  operation  of  motor 
'buses  in  the  Park  System.  The  attorney  and  chief  engineer 
were  sent  to  New  York  to  investigate  the  form  of  franchise 
under  which  the  New  York  'buses  are  operated,  and  to  inquire 
into  the  effect  of  the  wear  and  tear  on  the  pavements  due  to 
their  operation.  After  a  report  was  made  by  these  men,  numer- 
ous sessions  of  the  Board  were  held  to  discuss  the  matter.  As 
a  result  of  these  meetings  an  ordinance  was  passed  by  the 
Commissioners  in  June,  1916,  granting  to  the  Chicago  Motor 
'Bus  Co.  permission  to  run  motor  'buses  over  certain  designated 

Page  Five 


routes.  In  this  ordinance  the  interests  of  the  taxpayers  have 
been  carefully  guarded.  The  advent  of  motor  'buses  in  Lincoln 
Park  should  be  a  great  factor  in  the  further  development  of  the 
north  side,  and  the  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park  have  taken 
the  lead  in  the  City  of  Chicago  in  offering  this  new  method  of 
transportation  to  the  citizens  of  the  Park  District.  By  the 
operation  of  these  'buses  more  intense  use  of  the  boulevards 
will  follow.  This  intense  use  will  bring  with  it  some  conges- 
tion, but  congestion  is  something  that  every  city  that  aspires 
to  be  thoroughly  metropolitan  in  character  must  sooner  or  later 
encounter.  On  the  other  hand,  however,  the  great  accommo- 
dation and  much-needed  convenience  afforded  the  people  of 
the  north  side  and  the  City  of  Chicago  by  a  comprehensive 
motor  'bus  operation  will  more  than  justify  the  action  of  the 
Board. 

Bond  Issue 

The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park,  thoroughly  cognizant 
of  their  obligation  to  the  people,  went  before  the  lawmaking 
bodies  of  the  State  of  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1915  and  had 
enacted  a  law  which  gave  them  the  authority  to  place  upon  the 
ballot  for  the  consideration  of  the  people  of  the  Lincoln  Park 
District  a  one  million  dollar  4%  bond  issue,  providing  for  the 
extension  of  Lincoln  Park  to  the  north. 

The  people  of  the  Lincoln  Park  District,  realizing  the  press- 
ing need  of  increased  park  area  and  having  confidence  in  the 
manner  in  which  the  Park  affairs  were  being  administered, 
rallied  to  its  support  and  this  proposition  was  favorably  carried 
by  an  overwhelming  majority. 

With  the  authorization  of  this  issue,  bonds  were  imme- 
diately prepared  and  disposed  of  and  work  on  the  improvement 
started  forthwith. 


Ciutl  £*ruice 


The  Civil  Service  Commission  consists  of  three  members. 
Present  Board — Timothy  J.  O'Byrne,  President;  Bernard 
Jung,  and  John  C.  Cannon,  Superintendent  of  Employment. 

Page  Si.v 


The  following  report  of  work  accomplished  in  this  depart- 
ment, prepared  by  John  C.  Cannon,  Superintendent  of  employ- 
ment, I  take  pleasure  in  introducing  herewith: 

Mr.   George   D.   Crowley,    Secretary,    The   Commissioners   of 
Lincoln  Park,  Chicago. 

Dear  Sir: — 

I  hand  you  herewith  a  complete  summary  of  the  work  of 
the  Civil  Service  Commission  of  The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln 
Park  for  the  period  from  January  1,  1913,  to  and  including 
December  30,  1915,  with  the  expenditures  for  the  same  period. 

Expenditures 

Salaries  for  above  period  (Commissioners  and  cler- 
ical help)  $14,785.40 

Advertising  for  above  period 589.89 

Examination  expense  for  above  period 2,615.09 

Furniture  and  fixtures  for  above  period 14.00 

Printing  and  supplies 521.86 

Trials  for  above  period 1 37.82 

Examinations 

During  the  period  noted  above  the  Civil  Service  Com- 
mission has  conducted  29  examinations,  for  which  there  were 
1 ,043  applicants. 

Trials 

During  the  period  noted  above  the  Civil  Service  Commis- 
sion held  a  total  of  30  trials,  which  resulted  in  1  1  employees 
being  separated  from  the  service,  9  suspended  and  1 0 
exonerated. 

Separations 

During  the  above  period  a  total  of  86  employees  were 
separated  from  the  service  for  the  violation  of  Rule  7  covering 
absence  without  notification  to  superior  for  a  period  of  three 
days.  In  this  connection  I  wish  to  call  to  your  attention  that 
as  soon  as  the  employees  realized  that  this  rule  was  to  be 

Page  Seven 


enforced  strictly  the  number  of  separations  under  it  began  to 
reduce  materially,  viz. : 

1 9 1 3 46  separations 

1914 27 

1915 13 

Suspensions 

During  the  above  period  the  Civil  Service  Commission 
suspended  a  total  of  42  employees  for  violation  of  various  rules 
for  periods  of  from  one  day  to  30  days. 

Transfers 

During  the  above  period  the  Civil  Service  Commission 
authorized  243  transfers  from  one  department  to  another  within 
the  Lincoln  Park  service.  The  transfers  have  been  reduced 
from  year  to  year,  viz. : 

1913 106 

1914 85 

1915 52 

Number  of  Employees 

Maximum  Minimum 

1913 850  426 

1914 850  499 

1915 721  423 

Temporary  Employees 

During  the  above  period  the  Civil  Service  Commission 
authorized  the  employment  of  2 1  5  persons  on  temporary  per- 
mits, viz. : 

1913 75 

1914 82 

1915 58 

The  caring  for  matters  contained  in  this  summary  has 
made  it  necessary  for  this  department  to  enter  approximately 
1 2,000  reports  in  its  files,  etc.,  etc. 

Yours  truly, 

JOHN  C.  CANNON, 
Superintendent  of  Employment. 
December  8th,  1916. 

Page  Eight 


Park  Maintenance 


In  order  that  the  people  might  get  the  fullest  enjoyment 
out  of  the  beautiful  grass  plots  of  the  Park,  the  long  familiar 
sign  "Keep  Off  the  Grass"  has  been  thrown  in  the  discard  and 
the  lawns  reclaimed  for  the  use  of  the  public. 

With  restricted  lawn  areas  a  thing  of  the  past,  it  has  been 
necessary,  for  the  conservation  of  a  Park  Beautiful,  to  devise 
a  plan  of  maintaining  the  lawns  in  a  manner  which  would 
permit  of  their  unlimited  use. 

The  condition  of  the  lawns  in  Lincoln  Park  during  the 
years  1914,  1915  and  1916  is  conclusive  evidence  that  they 
may  be  used  most  freely  and  still  be  properly  maintained  by 
systematic  care. 

Work  in  general  on  the  Park  lawns  has  been  quite  exten- 
sive, the  edges  of  all  areas  at  sidewalks,  roadways,  ponds,  etc., 
have  been  sodded  and  regraded  where  necessary. 

During  the  present  administration  over  200,000  square 
yards  of  sod  has  been  planted  covering  an  area  in  excess  of 
40  acres  in  patches. 

The  trees  and  plantations  throughout  the  entire  Park  Sys- 
tem have  had  careful  attention. 

Skillful  tree  surgery  and  scientifically  treating  all  trees 
infected  has  saved  for  the  Park  a  number  of  beautiful 
specimens. 

Due  to  the  limited  appropriations  available  for  new  trees, 
the  work  of  completing  the  boulevard  tree  planting  scheme  will 
not  be  realized  for  some  time.  However,  a  great  number  of 
trees  and  shrubs  have  been  planted  and  section  by  section  this 
work  is  being  accomplished. 

Where  new  trees  have  been  planted  pockets  of  fertile  black 
earth  have  been  prepared  to  insure  their  healthy  growth. 

A  "safety  first"  measure  was  instituted  by  the  Board  when 
on  their  order  plantations  at  roadway  intersections,  which 
obscured  pathways  were  remodeled  so  as  to  eliminate  the  possi- 
bility of  accident  to  pedestrians  and  autoists. 

Page  Nine 


Some  few  years  prior  to  the  present  regime  a  strip  of 
land  covered  with  black  soil,  which  was  at  that  time  deemed 
suitable  for  Park  purposes,  located  at  Tedens,  Illinois,  between 
the  DesPlaines  River  and  the  Santa  Fe  Railroad  and  lying 
immediately  west  of  the  site  of  the  Lincoln  Park  stone  plant, 
was  purchased.  A  black  soil  plant  was  established  at  this  point. 
Considerable  of  the  black  soil  obtained  at  Tedens  was  brought 
to  Lincoln  Park  for  use. 

In  the  spring  of  1 9 1 4  it  was  noted  by  the  present  admin- 
istration that  the  meadows  and  plantations  covered  with  this 
soil  were  not  progressing  normally  and  were  a  considerable 
source  of  expense  in  maintaining.  The  present  Commissioners 
had  analyses  of  this  soil  made  and  found  that  it  contained  over 
80%  combustible  matter,  while  in  good  clay  loam  there  should 
not  be  in  excess  of  20%  combustible  matter.  After  these 
analyses  were  secured  the  black  soil  plant  was  discontinued. 

Most  of  the  land  previously  described  at  Tedens  lies  very 
low.  However,  about  ten  acres  is  suitable  for  the  raising  of 
nursery  stock.  Nearly  all  of  the  shrubbery  used  in  Lincoln  Park 
during  1915  and  1916  has  been  grown  in  this  nursery  and  the 
amount  of  money  saved  has  justified  its  maintenance. 

Ponds 

The  ponds  in  Lincoln  Park  cover  an  area  of  about  fifteen 
acres  and  in  1914  the  Commissioners  found  it  necessary,  due 
to  the  unsanitary  condition  of  the  water,  to  clean  the  North  and 
the  South  Ponds.  An  average  of  one  foot  of  slime  was  taken 
from  the  bottom  and  used  for  filling  in  Picnic  Island.  A  carload 
of  bottles,  tin  cans  and  other  refuse  was  disposed  of.  The 
condition  of  the  shores  was  improved  and  clean  gravel  put 
around  the  edges  of  the  ponds.  After  the  ponds  had  been 
refilled  with  fresh  water  the  overflows  and  sewers  protected 
by  suitable  gratings,  30,000  young  black  bass  were  obtained 
through  the  kindness  of  the  Illinois  Fish  and  Game  Commis- 
sion and  1  5,000  put  in  each  pond.  The  young  fish  have  been 
fed  and  otherwise  carefully  looked  after.  At  the  present  time 
there  are  any  number  of  fine  fish  in  the  ponds.  These  range  in 
size  from  four  to  six  inches. 
Page  Ten 


Baseball  Field 

That  portion  of  the  south  end  of  Lincoln  Park  devoted 
to  Baseball  Fields  possibly  withstands  harder  usage  than  any 
other  section  of  the  Park.  The  level  of  the  field  is  low,  and 
prior  to  the  installation  of  a  complete  drainage  system  and 
regrading  of  portions  of  the  field  during  the  fall  of  1914  and 
the  spring  of  1915,  the  baseball  diamonds  could  not  be  used  for 
days  after  the  slightest  rainstorm,  and  naturally  the  condition 
of  the  grass  was  quite  poor. 

Since  the  necessary  regrading  and  the  completion  of  the 
installation  of  the  drain  tile  the  availability  of  the  baseball 
grounds  has  been  more  than  doubled.  Due  to  proper  drainage 
the  lawns  have  steadfastly  improved  until  today  the  grass  on  the 
baseball  fields  very  favorably  compares  with  the  other  portions 
of  the  Park.  Shrubbery  has  been  planted  artistically  about  the 
borders  of  the  field  to  add  a  touch  of  beauty  to  the  landscape. 

Golf 

The  fall  of  1913  brought  a  great  public  demand  to  the 
attention  of  the  Lincoln  Park  Board.  The  golf  germ  had  finally 
infected  the  populace  of  the  Lincoln  Park  District.  Requests 
for  the  establishment  of  a  golf  course  in  Lincoln  Park  became 
so  numerous  that  the  Board  was  satisfied  they  would  be  serving 
the  best  interests  of  the  people  of  their  district  by  making  it 
possible  for  the  public  to  use  some  section  of  the  Park  for  golf. 

Having  in  mind  the  fact  that  the  Park  Extension  Plan 
contemplated  the  institution  of  an  1 8-hole  course,  to  be  built 
over  the  submerged  lands  lying  between  Montrose  Avenue 
and  Foster  Avenue  and  east  of  the  present  shore  line,  and 
knowing  that  it  would  be  a  financial  and  physical  impossibility 
to  have  this  course  built  within  ten  to  fifteen  years,  the  Com- 
missioners secured  the  kind  assistance  of  Messrs.  Tom  Bendelo 
and  "Chic"  Evans  in  preparing  for  use  as  a  9-hole  golf  course, 
pending  the  filling  in  and  building  of  that  section  of  the  Park 
Extension  which  contemplated  the  1  8-hole  course,  that  portion 
of  the  Park  Extension  lying  immediately  east  of  the  Lake  Shore 
Drive  between  Diversey  Parkway  and  Belmont  Avenue. 

Page   Eleven 


Scarcely  had  the  announcement  been  made,  that  the  Board 
had  heeded  the  will  of  the  people,  when  golf  enthusiasts  were 
to  be  seen  by  the  score  playing  over  an  impromptu  course  laid 
out  for  immediate  use. 

Messrs.  Bendelo  and  Evans  shortly  thereafter  presented 
a  plan  for  the  course,  which  was  adopted,  and  the  present  course 
is  the  result. 

The  improvements  of  the  grounds,  in  order  to  facilitate 
more  rapid  playing  and  thereby  accommodate  the  greatest  num- 
ber of  players,  have  been  numerous  and  it  is  our  hope,  if  present 
plans  are  carried  out,  that  by  the  spring  of  1918  our  semi- 
permanent golf  course  will  be  considered  among  the  best  in 
Chicago. 

Improvements  made  thus  far  include: 

The  installation  of  a  drainage  system, 

Heavy  loam  laid  and  planted  for  putting  greens, 

New  tees  made  of  specially  prepared  clay, 

A  beautiful  shelter  house,  containing  locker,  shower  bath, 
lunch  room,  rest  room  and  toilet  accommodations,  designed 
by  A.  N.  Rebori,  architect,  has  been  constructed  and  was  for- 
mally opened  and  dedicated  by  Governor  Edward  F.  Dunne, 
September  the  9th,  1916. 

^Engineering  department 

Sidewalks 

Prior  to  1913  some  experimental  work  was  done  with 
asphalt  surfacing  of  the  side-walks.  The  experiments  having 
proven  successful  the  Commissioners  appropriated  funds  in  the 
succeeding  years  to  continue  this  work.  A  total  of  close  to 
70,000  square  yards  of  sidewalks  have  received  asphaltic 
treatment. 

Boulevards 

The  Lake  Shore  Drive  was  paved  with  a  two-inch  surface 
of  asphaltic  concrete  from  Bellevue  Place  to  Grand  Avenue. 
The  old  macadam  base  was  reshaped  and  new  stone  added  to 
strengthen  the  foundation  from  Bellevue  Place  to  Ohio  Street. 
Page  Twelve 


From  Ohio  Street  to  Grand  Avenue  a  new  six-inch  concrete 
base  was  built.  New  curbs  were  also  installed.  The  parkways 
were  regraded  and  sodded  over  this  entire  portion  of  the  boule- 
vard. At  Ohio  Street  a  connection  was  made  with  the  road 
leading  to  the  Municipal  Pier. 

The  Lake  Shore  Drive  from  Delaware  Place  to  Schiller 
Street  was  given  a  flush  coat  of  bituminous  material  and  gran- 
ite chips. 

Oak  Street  from  Lincoln  Parkway  to  the  junction  with 
the  Lake  Shore  Drive  was  covered  with  a  two-inch  wearing 
surface  of  asphaltic  concrete. 

Sheridan  Road  from  Foster  Avenue  to  Devon  Avenue  was 
resurfaced  with  two  inches  of  asphaltic  concrete. 

From  Aldine  Avenue  to  Grace  Street  and  from  Byron 
Street  to  Broadway  the  roadway  was  treated  with  a  seal  coat 
of  bituminous  material  and  granite  chips. 

Diversey  Parkway  was  paved  with  a  two-inch  surface  of 
asphaltic  concrete  from  Clybourn  Avenue  to  the  Chicago  River. 
From  Hermitage  Avenue  to  Lincoln  Street  this  boulevard  was 
paved  with  grout  filled  brick  on  a  six-inch  concrete  foundation. 
A  seal  coat  of  tarvia  and  granite  chips  was  given  to  the  road 
between  Lake  Shore  Drive  and  Sheridan  Road. 

Lincoln  Parkway  from  Chicago  Avenue  to  Ohio  Street, 
Fullerton  Parkway  from  Clark  Street  to  Orchard  Street,  and 
Stockton  Drive  from  Diversey  to  North  Avenue  were  treated 
with  a  flush  coat  of  tarvia  and  granite  chips. 

The  policy  has  been  to  keep  the  roads  in  a  state  of  good 
repair,  the  maxim  of  "a  stitch  in  time  saves  nine"  has  been 
followed. 

Snow  removal,  always  one  of  our  biggest  winter  problems, 
has  been  facilitated  by  the  purchase  of  additional  plows  and 
graders.  For  the  coming  season  we  are  planning  to  supersede 
our  horse-drawn  plows  with  motor-driven  plows.  Increased 
efficiency  will  no  doubt  follow. 

Coal 

Coal  has  been  purchased  on  competitive  bids,  using  the 
B.T.U.  basis  as  a  standard.  This  system  has  resulted  in  our 

Page   Thirteen 


getting  a  far  better  grade  of  coal  than  could  be  secured  by 
buying  by  the  ton. 

Storm  Damage 

In  November,  1913,  a  terrific  storm  swept  the  lake  front. 
At  six  different  points  the  paved  beach  and  parapet  wall  was 
washed  out.  On  the  Extension  upwards  of  300,000  cubic  yards 
of  material  was  carried  away.  The  paved  beach  has  been 
restored  and  bulkheads  have  been  placed  every  50  feet  in  the 
restored  work  to  confine  future  damage  to  a  small  area.  This 
beach  has  had  a  maintenance  gang  working  on  it  constantly 
during  the  summer  months  for  the  last  three  years.  Due  to 
this  maintenance  we  have  suffered  no  great  damage,  although 
there  have  been  some  severe  lake  storms.  The  material  washed 
out  on  the  Extension  will  be  replaced  by  the  hydraulic  dredge. 

Yacht  Harbor 

The  yacht  harbor  at  Belmont  Avenue  was  opened  to  the 
public.  Moorings  were  laid  out,  and  a  lighthouse  constructed. 
A  dock  9 1  1  feet  long  was  also  built. 

Breakwater 

A  breakwater  970  feet  in  length  was  constructed  immedi- 
ately south  of  the  Jack-Knife  Bridge. 

Extension 

As  soon  as  the  voters  approved  the  $1 ,000,000  bond  issue 
at  the  election  in  April,  1916,  work  was  started  fitting  out  the 
Marine  Fleet  for  service.  The  tugs  and  pile  drivers  went  into 
service  in  May  and  the  dredge  in  June.  Work  has  continued 
throughout  the  season.  The  breakwater  was  extended  1 ,072 
feet  northward  from  Cornelia  Street  and  approximately  1 7 
acres  of  new  lands  were  filled  in  by  the  dredge.  The  hydraulic 
fill  was  supplemented  by  material  received  by  teams. 

On  Picnic  Island  the  north  one-half  was  graded,  sand  and 
black  soil  were  spread  and  then  seeded.  The  breakwater  at  the 
north  end  of  Picnic  Island  was  extended  a  distance  of  61  2  feet. 
Beginning  at  the  south  end  of  the  island  a  paved  concrete  beach 
was  built  1 ,600  feet  long.  Bulkheads  carried  two  feet  below 
Page  Fourteen 


the  lake  level  were  built  every  50  feet  along  the  beach.  A 
retaining  wall  was  built  2,600  feet  in  length  from  the  south  to 
the  north  end  of  the  island.  The  completion  of  the  1 ,000 
remaining  feet  of  paved  beach  will  mark  the  completion  of 
the  shore  protection  work  required  on  Picnic  Island.  This  por- 
tion of  the  park  will  then  be  ready  for  the  use  of  the  people. 

Lemont  Stone  Plant. 

All  stone  used  in  the  construction  of  the  breakwaters  was 
hauled  by  our  fleet  from  the  stone  plant  at  Lemont.  A  total 
of  400  wooden  stone  boxes  of  an  improved  design  were  built. 
A  stiff  leg  derrick  with  a  capacity  of  six  tons  was  added  to  the 
plant  for  the  purpose  of  handling  the  large  stone. 

Sheridan  Road  Extension 

The  attorney  and  the  chief  engineer  have  had  conferences 
with  the  authorities  of  all  of  the  North  Shore  towns  affected 
by  the  Sheridan  Road  Extension  Act.  The  legal  phases  of  this 
Act  have  been  explained  in  detail  and  costs  of  construction  and 
maintenance  of  the  proposed  road  have  been  furnished.  Every 
effort  has  been  made  to  further  this  project.  The  towns  of 
Wilmette,  Kenilworth  and  Glencoe  have  turned  Sheridan  Road 
over  to  the  Commissioners  and  it  has  been  accepted  by  them. 

Records 

A  complete  set  of  plans  and  specifications  covering  all 
work  done  by  the  Engineering  Department  is  on  file.  All 
plans  have  been  brought  up  to  date,  and  all  changes  have  been 
recorded.  A  unit  cost  system  has  been  installed  wherein  the 
cost  of  every  piece  of  work  is  carefully  kept.  Daily  reports 
are  made  of  all  construction  work. 

Respectfully, 

GEO.  T.  DONOGHUE. 


Page  Fifteen 


Electrical  ieprtment 

During  the  year  1913  the  improvement  of  Sheridan  Road 
from  Foster  to  Devon  Avenue  started  and  108  arc  lamps  on 
concrete  poles  added  to  the  system.  This  being  cut  into  service 
in  March,  1914,  through  a  sub-station  at  Foster  Avenue  and 
Sheridan  Road. 

In  the  summer  of  1914  Sheridan  Road  from  Grace  Street 
to  Belmont  Avenue  was  lighted,  63  lamps  being  added  to  the 
system  without  the  addition  of  any  feeder  cable. 

During  the  fall  of  1914  ten  lamps  were  added  on  State 
Street  between  Burton  Place  and  Schiller  Street,  this  being  the 
first  time  in  the  history  of  Lincoln  Park  that  high  tensioned 
armoured  cable  was  used  in  place  of  lead  covered  cable  in 
conduit. 

In  the  spring  of  1915  34  lamps  were  added  on  Sheridan 
Road  between  Belmont  and  Diversey  without  the  use  of  addi- 
tional feeder  cable.  Later  on  five  safety  island  lights  and  four 
lamps  were  added  at  Lincoln's  monument.  During  the  sum- 
mer of  1915  92  lamps  were  added  on  Diversey  Parkway 
between  Lincoln  Avenue  and  the  Chicago  River,  using  existing 
modern  conduit  line  which  had  been  installed  in  1911. 

In  April,  1916,  work  was  started  on  the  following  jobs: 

Lamps 

a.  Diversey  Pky.  from  Commonwealth  Ave.  to  Lin- 

coln Ave 84 

b.  Lake  Shore  Drive  from  Oak  St.  to  Grand  Ave 36 

c.  Municipal  Pier  approach 70 

d.  East  Drive  from  bandstand  to  North  Ave 29 

e.  Stockton  Drive — Diversey  to  Eugenie  St.  bridge....  1  50 

369 

Of  these  a,  b,  c  and  d  are  practically  completed  and  41 
lamps  are  in  service  on  e. 

New  conduit  was  installed  on  Diversey  Parkway  from 
Commonwealth  Avenue  to  Lincoln  Avenue  and  on  the  west 
side  of  Stockton  Drive  from  Diversey  to  St.  James  Place.  It 

Page  Sixteen 


is  hoped  that  the  major  portion  of  this  equipment  will  go  into 
service  during  1916. 

Outside  Lighting  System 

Load  on  system,  Jan.,  1913,  873  arc  lamps 

Load  on  system,  Dec.,  1916,  1 ,073  type  C  lamps  and   1  78 

arc  lamps 

Load  on  system,  Jan.,  1913,  46 1 . 1 6  K. W.  average 
Load  on  system,  Dec.,  1916,  350.00  K.W.  average 
Increase  in  size  of  system  43% 
Decrease  in  load  32% 
Cost  per  lamp  per  year,  1912,  $31.57 

1916,    19.88 

i 
Decrease  $  1  1 .69 

At  the  present  capacity  this  is  a  saving  of  $  1 4,620  approxi- 
mately on  outside  lighting  alone  per  year. 

Safety  Island  Lights 

A  total  of  48  safety  island  lights  have  been  installed  dur- 
ing the  years  of  1913  to  1916,  inclusive,  for  the  safety  and 
convenience  of  the  public. 

Commercial  System 

The  policy  of  complying  strictly  to  the  rules  of  the  Board 
of  Fire  Underwriters  and  those  of  the  Bureau  of  Electrical 
Inspection  of  the  City  of  Chicago  has  been  adopted  and  neces- 
sary changes  are  constantly  being  made.  New  underground 
feed  at  Welles  Park  has  been  installed  in  connection  with  a 
new  sub-station.  Seward  and  Stanton  Parks  are  now  supplied 
with  power  directly  from  the  main  sub-station  at  Lincoln  Park 
at  a  great  saving  in  cost.  Single  phase  power  has  been  replaced 
with  a  three  phase  system  in  a  number  of  instances,  thereby 
greatly  reducing  costs  and  improving  service.  A  number  of 
small  sub-stations  have  been  eliminated  and  power  supplied  to 
the  various  centers  from  the  main  sub-station.  Meters  are 
being  further  installed  to  measure  power  supplied  to  various 
departments. 

Page  Seventeen 


New  Developments 

In  the  interests  of  economy  and  public  safety  the  old  and 
obsolete  arc  lamps  have  been  practically  replaced  by  the  mod- 
ern type  C  or  nitrogen  incandescent  lamps,  the  result  being  to 
increase  the  effective  illumination  and  decrease  the  cost. 

The  series  multiple  transformer  has  been  developed  in 
Lincoln  Park  during  the  past  two  years  and  the  following 
results  achieved: 

1 .  Decrease  in  cost  of  construction 

2.  Increase  in  efficiency  of  operation  and  maintenance 

3.  Increase  in  safety  to  the  public 

4.  Practically  continuous  service  assured. 

The  use  of  steel  armoured  cable  has  been  extensively 
begun,  with  a  consequent  great  saving  in  construction  costs. 

Many  other  improvements  of  equipment  and  service  have 
been  developed,  with  the  result  that  the  total  department  effi- 
ciency has  been  greatly  increased  and  substantial  savings 
effected. 

The  Park  garage,  including  a  number  of  machines,  has 
been  turned  over  to  the  Electrical  Department  and  a  consequent 
saving  in  expense  brought  about  thereby. 

Water  System 

A  24-hour  water  service  at  a  pressure  of  65  pounds  per 
square  inch  is  now  operated,  adequately  protecting  park  prop- 
erty from  fire.  Larger  pipes  have  been  installed  where  neces- 
sary and  many  extensions  made  and  fireplugs  installed.  The 
unit  cost  of  pumping  has  been  decreased  and  the  efficiency 
greatly  increased. 

Organization 

The  employees  of  the  Electrical  Department  have  been 
strictly  classified  according  to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
Civil  Service  Commission,  which  procedure  has  been  rigidly 
adhered  to. 

The  organization  of  the  various  forces  has  been  made  to 
resemble  as  closely  as  possible  that  of  a  large  industrial  cor- 
poration, the  result  being  to  increase  efficiency,  safeguard  the 
public  interest  and  reduce  unit  costs. 

Page  Eighteen 


Summary 

To  summarize  the  -work  of  the  Electrical  Department: 

1 .  The  Electrical,  Water  and  Garage  Departments  have 

been  consolidated  and  placed  under  control  of  the 
Electrical  Engineer  in  charge. 

2.  Obsolete  equipment  has  been  replaced  by  the  most 

modern,  efficient  and  up-to-date  appliances  wherever 
possible. 

3.  Superfluous  equipment  has  been  eliminated,   with  a 

resultant  saving  of  thousands  of  dollars  and  the  lia- 
bility of  trouble  greatly  decreased. 

4.  Individual  efficiency  and  initiative  have  been  encour- 

aged with  gratifying  results. 

Conclusion 

The  results  obtained  during  the  past  four  years  have 
proven  satisfactory,  although  much  additional  work  has  been 
laid  out  for  the  future.  It  is  proposed  to  install  a  non-condens- 
ing turbo-generating  unit  which  will  supply  power  to  the  sys- 
tem at  a  great  saving  over  present  conditions.  This  unit  will 
insure  against  interruptions  of  service  and  will  exhaust  into 
the  heating  system,  thus  serving  a  triple  purpose.  All  obsolete 
equipment  will  be  replaced  by  modern  apparatus  and  the  stand- 
ard of  efficiency  can  soon  be  brought  up  to  equal  that  of  the 
most  efficient  industrial  corporation. 

ilechamcal  anfo  Hepatr  leprtmcnt 

The  Mechanical  and  Repair  Department  is  responsible  for 
the  maintenance  and  repair  of  all  buildings  in  the  Park  proper 
and  the  small  parks  as  well.  The  splendid  condition  in  which 
these  buildings  are  kept  is  evidence  of  the  high  efficiency  main- 
tained in  this  department.  This  department  has  frequently 
shown  that  it  can  compete  successfully  with  outside  contractors. 
An  average  of  140  rowboats  have  been  repaired  and  painted 
each  year  at  an  annual  saving  of  $750  over  the  lowest  bid  of 
outside  competition. 

Page  Nineteen 


The  character  of  the  cement  work  done  by  this  depart- 
ment has  been  such  that  it  has  attracted  attention  throughout 
the  country.  Hardly  a  day  passes  by  without  our  receiving 
inquiries  as  to  the  method  of  construction  of  our  lamp  posts, 
drinking  fountains,  benches,  fence  posts,  etc.  Some  idea  of 
the  magnitude  of  this  work  can  be  secured  when  it  is  realized 
that  1,500  concrete  posts  have  been  built  during  the  past 
four  years. 

A  comprehensive  cost  system,  by  which  the  cost  of  every 
job  can  be  traced  from  start  to  finish,  has  been  installed. 

Heating  Separtment 

The  paint  shop,  cement  shop  and  stables  were  connected 
with  the  Central  Heating  Plant,  and  a  vacuum  system  installed 
in  each  place.  The  radiation  in  the  Floral  Department  was 
increased  1,500  square  feet. 

In  Seward  Park  the  heating  system  was  extended  to  the 
new  library  and  to  the  remodeled  shower  room.  Improvements 
were  also  made  in  the  hot  water  system  that  more  than  doubled 
the  hot  water  output  of  the  system.  In  Stanton  Park  the  heat- 
ing system  was  extended  to  the  new  playroom. 

A  pneumatic  ash  conveyor  was  installed  at  the  Central 
Heating  Plant,  which  has  greatly  accelerated  the  handling 
of  ashes. 

After  a  rigid  service  test  of  30  days,  conducted  by  our 
own  men,  fuel  saving  devices  were  purchased  and  installed  in 
Hamlin,  Stanton  and  Seward  Parks  and  Lake  Shore  Play- 
ground. 

The  purchase  of  an  acetylene  welding  and  cutting  outfit 
has  increased  the  efficiency  of  this  department. 


Stares 


By  the  adoption  of  a  general  stores  plan,  the  installation 
of  new  systems  and  efficient  services,  the  volume  of  business 
or  services  rendered  by  the  General  Stores  to  other  departments 

Page  Twenty 


has  been  increased  1  50%.  Formerly  the  stock  carried  was  not 
adequate  in  variety  or  quantity  to  meet  the  requirements  of  the 
various  departments.  For  this  reason  each  department  found 
it  necessary  to  carry  considerable  supplies  to  satisfy  its  own 
needs  without  proper  facilities  for  storage.  The  institution 
of  the  General  Stores  plan  has  made  this  unnecessary.  Depart- 
ment heads  have  been  saved  both  time  and  money  and  have 
been  able  to  secure  their  supplies  in  a  satisfactory  condition. 

The  increase  in  the  volume  of  business  by  the  General 
Stores  Department  made  it  necessary  to  economize  on  space. 
To  do  this  special  bins,  shelves,  cabinets,  etc.,  were  constructed. 

A  complete  record  system  covering  the  following  items 
has  been  placed  in  operation : 

Records  of  equipment,  tools,  implements,  etc. 
Receiving  and  checking  of  materials  and  supplies. 
Records  of  bills — Payable  and  OK'd. 
Records  of  Bills — Department  requisitions. 
Records  of  Bills — Profit  and  loss. 
Records  of  Bills — Scale  Reports. 

The  installation  of  the  above  system  has  resulted  in  an 
average  overhead  saving  of  $2,000  per  year.  The  cost  of  distri- 
bution has  been  reduced  to  10%  and  will  probably  be  further 
reduced  at  the  close  of  business  this  year. 

ffiaunbry  leprtment 

Below  is  a  table  showing  the  amount  of  work  done  by  the 
Laundry  Department  during  the  past  four  years : 

1913 1,336,208  pieces 

1914 1,471,481 

1915 1,226,624 

1916...  ..1,483,671 


Total 5,517,984* 

*December  not  included. 

All  of  the  work  above  set  out  has  been  collected,  laun- 
dered and  delivered  to  various  points  in  the  Park  System. 

Page  Twenty-one 


By  the  installation  of  the  latest  and  most  improved  machin- 
ery adapted  to  our  particular  class  of  work  the  cost  of  pro- 
duction has  been  gotten  to  a  point  so  low  that  neither  institu- 
tional nor  commercial  laundries  can  compete  with  it. 

The  Department  of  Health  of  the  City  of  Chicago  com- 
mended the  efficient  and  hygienic  manner  in  which  the  laundry 
work  was  carried  on. 

By  careful  repairs  the  life  of  bathing  suits,  towels,  attend- 
ants' uniforms,  etc.,  have  been  prolonged,  thereby  working  an 
economy. 

The  growing  popularity  and  patronage  of  our  bathing 
beaches  and  swimming  pools  has  seriously  taxed  the  capacity 
of  the  laundry.  If  these  conditions  continue  it  will  not  be  long 
before  additional  space  and  machinery  will  have  to  be  provided. 


Approximately  $40,000  worth  of  plants  have  been  raised 
annually  in  our  propagating  houses  during  the  past  four  years. 

A  continuous  flower  show  has  been  carried  on  in  the  Con- 
servatory. Special  exhibits  have  been  made  at  Easter  and  in 
the  fall  of  the  year,  which  have  been  attended  by  a  great  num- 
ber of  visitors.  Our  flower  shows  have  achieved  a  nation- 
wide reputation. 

About  20,000  plants  have  been  set  out  annually  in  the 
formal  gardens,  which  have  been  arranged  in  artistic  geometric 
designs.  A  display  of  aquatic  plants  has  also  been  an  annual 
feature. 

The  perennial  garden,  widely  known  as  "grandmother's 
garden"  or  the  "old-fashioned  garden,"  contains  about  650 
species  of  hardy  plants.  Many  of  them  are  native  but  some 
varieties  have  become  almost  extinct.  New  species  have  been 
constantly  added.  Contributions  to  this  collection  have  been 
made  from  plant  lovers  from  all  parts  of  the  country.  Speci- 
mens from  this  garden  have  been  a  great  help  to  teachers  and 
students  of  botany. 

Page  Twenty-two 


By  careful  maintenance  the  life  of  the  Conservatory  has 
been  prolonged.  However,  the  time  is  soon  coming  when  it 
will  be  necessary  to  provide  a  new  building.  When  this  is  built 
it  should  be  in  keeping  with  the  wonderful  collection  it  is 
to  house. 

Stable  Department 

Horses  have  played  a  most  important  part  in  the  work 
of  the  Park,  and  it  is  indeed  gratifying  to  mention  the  fact 
that  the  Stable  Department  of  Lincoln  Park  was  acclaimed 
the  best  managed  in  the  city  of  Chicago  by  the  Public  Effi- 
ciency Commission. 

The  report  of  that  Commission  recorded  statistics  show- 
ing the  cost  of  maintenance,  per  head,  of  stock  in  Lincoln 
Park  to  be  less  than  in  any  other  park  system  in  the  city  or 
in  the  Municipal  Stables  of  Chicago. 

The  policy  of  the  Lincoln  Park  Stable  Department  to  keep 
its  stock  in  the  pink  of  condition,  is  responsible  for  the  fact 
that  during  the  years  1913  to  1916,  inclusive,  not  an  animal 
died,  either  through  illness  or  old  age. 

From  time  to  time,  as  deemed  an  economy,  new  stock  has 
been  purchased  to  replace  the  old,  which  would  be  sold,  with 
the  result  that  the  animals  housed  are  at  all  times  available 
for  necessary  work. 

At  present  we  have  on  hand  51  horses  and  mules  and  a 
yoke  of  oxen. 

The  yoke  of  oxen  has  long  since  outlived  its  usefulness, 
but  continues  to  be  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  the  Park's 
many  attractions. 

Police  Department 

The  Police  Department  of  Lincoln  Park  is  commanded  by 
a  captain,  lieutenant,  and  sergeant.  In  1913  there  were  fifty- 
five  patrolmen.  This  number  was  increased  to  sixty  in  1914, 
and  again  to  sixty-six  in  1916. 

The  additional  number  of  patrolmen  has  been  made  nec- 
essary by  the  enlargement  of  the  Park  from  Diversey  Parkway 

Page  Twenty-three 


NQV8     1922 


to  Cornelia  Street  east  of  Sheridan  Road,  the  acquisition  of 
Sheridan  Road  from  Foster  to  Devon  Avenues,  and  by  the 
intense  desire  of  the  present  Board  to  amply  safeguard  pedes- 
trians at  all  busy  street  intersections,  the  number  of  which  is 
steadily  increasing,  due  to  the  rapid  development  and  growth 
of  the  North  Side. 

The  telephone  system  of  the  Department  has  been 
extended  to  permit  patrolmen  to  communicate  instantly  with 
headquarters.  This  is  of  particular  value  in  emergencies  and 
in  reporting  at  regular  intervals  for  orders. 

During  the  period  1913-1916  there  were  1,715  arrests 
made  and  fines  aggregating  $1  8,046.50  were  imposed  for  these 
violations. 

Our  officers  have  established  a  reputation  for  courtesy  and 
efficiency  that  is  second  to  none  in  the  city. 

The  tremendous  use  of  the  Park  by  the  people  has  pre- 
sented many  unique  police  problems.  Among  the  most  inter- 
esting is  that  of  caring  for  children  lost  in  the  Park.  These 
children  are  brought  to  the  Administration  Building  where 
quarters  are  provided,  in  charge  of  a  motherly  matron  whose 
duty  it  is  to  care  for  them  while  the  officers  are  seeking  their 
guardians.  On  one  hot  Sunday  in  July,  1916,  there  were  53 
children  cared  for  in  this  manner.  A  table  showing  the  num- 
ber of  lost  children  taken  in  charge  during  the  past  four  years 
follows : 

1913  428 

1914 286 

1915 295 

1916 430 

Four  years'  total... .1 ,439 

Zoological  Department 

The  Lincoln  Park  Zoo  is  known  the  world  over  for  its 
large  number  and  variety  of  animals,  and  its  high  standard  of 
physical  condition  and  modern  housing  facilities.  Every 
building  has  been  designed  especially  for  the  peculiar  needs  of 

P&ge  Twenty-four 


the  animals.     The  low  death  rate  among  the  animals  speaks 
for  this  Department's  efficient  management. 

New  animals  are  constantly  being  added  to  the  Zoo. 
Since  August,  1913,  the  following  animals  were  bought:  One 
pair  of  snow  leopards,  one  pair  cheetahs,  four  sea  lions,  one 
pair  African  ostrichs  and  a  large  variety  of  birds.  During  this 
period  the  following  animals  were  born  in  the  Zoo:  Eleven 
deers,  six  buffalos,  two  jaguars,  two  leopards,  three  elks,  two 
moose,  one  zebra,  one  zebu,  one  camel,  four  wolves  and  four 
esquimaux  dogs. 

The  reduction  of  the  number  of  animals  of  the  same 
variety  is  made  necessary  by  lack  of  room.  The  surplus  ani- 
mals are  disposed  of  to  other  Zoos,  and  during  the  period  1913- 
1916  their  disposition  netted  Lincoln  Park  $3,093.46. 

In  1914  Mrs.  Mollie  Netcher  Newberger  presented  to  the 
Park  two  handsome  young  giraffes.  A  shelter  designed  primar- 
ily for  their  needs  has  been  erected  at  a  cost  of  $2,500. 

The  natural  increase  of  the  buffalo  herd  has  been  so 
great  that  the  old  quarters  were  not  sufficiently  large  to  house 
the  entire  herd,  so  a  reinforced  concrete  shelter  and  suitable 
yards  were  constructed  in  1915  at  a  cost  of  $4,000. 

The  employees  of  the  Zoo  represent  a  body  of  men  who 
are  trained  for  this  particular  work. 

The  Lincoln  Park  Zoo  has  always  been  a  great  attrac- 
tion in  Chicago,  not  only  to  its  citizens  but  also  to  a  large  num- 
ber of  visitors  to  the  City.  In  the  last  few  years  the  attendance 
has  increased  many  fold.  There  is  probably  not  another  Zoo 
in  the  world  that  has  as  large  an  attendance  as  the  Lincoln 
Park  Zoo. 


Small 


There  are  five  small  parks  in  the  Lincoln  Park  System. 
In  all  of  these  parks  a  competent  manager  is  employed  with  a 
corps  of  assistants,  including  pianists,  athletic  instructors,  social 
directors  and  caretakers,  all  of  these  managers  in  turn  report 
to  a  general  director. 

Page   Twenty-five 


Up  to  1914  only  three  of  these  parks  were  equipped  with 
suitable  buildings.  These  were  Seward,  Stanton  and  Hamlin 
Parks. 

This  Department  has  introduced  a  rational  classification 
for  athletic  competition  and  has  perfected  an  eligibility  code. 

Women  clubs  have  been  organized  and  regular  meetings 
conducted  at  which  civic  questions  and  educational  matters  have 
been  discussed.  Motion  pictures  of  educational  value  have 
been  shown  in  our  Assembly  Halls. 

The  small  park  buildings  have  been  maintained  in  a  very 
efficient  manner  at  a  very  low  cost.  The  walks  and  drives  at 
Stanton  Park  and  Welles  Park  have  been  covered  with  asphaltic 
wearing  surface. 

Seward  Park 

Located  at  the  Intersection  of  Elm  and  Sedgwick  Streets 

A  field  house  has  been  constructed  and  equipped  with 
an  assembly  hall,  two  gymnasiums,  a  library,  several  club 
rooms,  shower  baths,  sewing  rooms  and  locker  accommoda- 
tions. 

Among  the  outdoor  activities  is  numbered  a  running  track, 
outdoor  gymnasium  apparatus,  a  wading  pool,  sand  pit,  a  junior 
baseball  diamond  and  several  other  features. 

Stanton  Park 

Located  at  Vine  and  Rees  Streets 

A  field  house  containing  assembly  and  rest  rooms  together 
with  shower  baths  and  locker  accommodations. 

An  outdoor  swimming  pool  has  proven  a  very  popular 
feature  in  the  activities  of  the  Park. 

Baseball  diamonds,  tennis  courts,  running  track  and  out- 
door gymnasium  apparatus  interest  the  frequenters  of  this  Park. 

Hamlin  Park 

Located  at  Barry  and  Hoyne  Avenues 

In  this  Park  is  located  the  most  modern  of  the  field  houses 
within  the  Lincoln  Park  System.  It  has  all  of  the  facilities 

Page  Twenty-six 


offered  at  any  of  the  other  Parks  together  with  numerous  addi- 
tional advantages.  In  this  Park  is  a  swimming  pool,  tennis 
courts,  baseball  field,  handball  court,  outdoor  gymnasium,  wad- 
ing pool,  sand  pits,  jumping  pits,  running  track,  and  in  the 
field  house  a  beautiful  assembly  hall  which  opens  on  to  a  large 
veranda  overlooking  the  park, — a  branch  of  the  Chicago  Pub- 
lic Library  has  been  installed  in  the  reading  room.  Club  rooms 
are  available  for  the  use  of  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  and 
there  is  provided  an  indoor  gymnasium  fully  equipped. 

Welles  Park 

Located  at  Sunnyside  and  Western  Avenues 

During  the  period  included  in  this  report  the  Commis- 
sioners have  constructed  an  assembly  hall  in  this  Park.  Welles 
Park  is  entirely  different  from  the  other  Small  Parks  in  that  the 
greater  portion  of  the  area  forms  a  picturesque  grass  meadow. 
In  addition  to  the  meadow  the  outdoor  activities  and  facilities 
are  comparable  to  those  of  the  other  playgrounds. 

Lake  Shore  Playground 

Located  at  Chicago  Avenue  and  the  Lake  Shore  Drive 

Although  in  close  proximity  to  Lincoln  Park,  this  play- 
ground serves  as  a  play  field  for  thousands  of  people  living 
within  the  congested  districts  to  the  west  of  it.  Among  the 
outdoor  activities  are  included  baseball,  tennis,  handball,  out- 
door gymnasium,  a  junior  baseball  diamond,  croquet,  running 
track,  sand  pit,  jumping  pit  and  other  features. 

The  Commissioners,  anxious  to  encourage  the  use  of  the 
playgrounds,  have  co-operated  with  a  number  of  organizations 
interested  in  playground  work,  among  which  are  numbered 

The  Civic  Music  Association 

Infant  Welfare  Society 

Infant  Welfare  Sewing  Club 

Visiting  Nurses'  Association 

Woman's  City  Club 

Business  Men's  Associations, 

Schools,  Churches  and  Clubs, 
in  the  various  neighborhoods. 

Page    Twenty-seven 


A  beautiful  brick  field  house  facing  Lake  Shore  Drive  and 
overlooking  Lake  Michigan  is  now  under  construction.  This 
building  was  designed  by  Mr.  A.  N.  Rebori.  It  will  be  ready 
for  occupancy  about  March  1 ,  1917. 


ICepI  Department 


Possibly  more  legal  questions  of  great  import  have  come  to 
the  attention  of  the  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park  for  dispo- 
sition during  the  period  1 9 1  3  to  1916  than  in  any  similar  period 
in  the  history  of  the  Park  and  the  report  of  the  attorney  for  the 
Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park,  Mr.  Francis  O'Shaughnessy, 
which  I  beg  to  append  hereto,  will  in  a  small  measure,  show  the 
master  manner  in  which  this  Department  was  handled: 

The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park, 

Chicago,  Illinois. 
Gentlemen : 

I  herewith  submit  a  brief  summary  of  some  of  the  impor- 
tant legal  matters  which  were  submitted  to  me  during  my  incum- 
bency of  the  position  as  attorney  for  the  Commissioners  of  Lin- 
coln Park: 

Civil  Service  Hearings 

I  attended  all  Civil  Service  trials  where  employes  were 
represented  by  counsel.  I  did  not  assume  that  my  position 
required  that  I  act  as  a  prosecutor  but  rather  as  an  adviser  of 
the  Civil  Service  Board.  Trials  before  the  Civil  Service  Board 
are  such  that  the  presence  of  an  attorney  as  a  prosecutor  is  not 
consonant  with  the  spirit  of  a  law  administered  by  laymen  who 
are  not  expected  to  be  familiar  with  the  technical  rules  of  evi- 
dence. The  excellent  work  of  the  Civil  Service  Board  and  the 
fairness  of  its  judgments  leads  me  to  believe  that  the  course 
pursued  was  the  proper  one.  It  would  be  needless  for  me  to 
enumerate  in  this  report  the  hearings  attended. 

Police  Court  Work 

I  attended  such  cases  as  came  up  in  the  Police  Courts, 
where  the  rights  or  interests  of  any  employe  of  the  Park  grow- 

Page  Twenty-eight 


ing  out  of  the  performance  of  his  duty  were  involved.  I  did  not 
participate  in  the  trial  of  Speeders'  Cases;  these  cases  are  han- 
dled by  the  State's  Attorney. 

Police  Pension  Law 

The  Police  Pension  Law  was  amended  by  the  Legisla- 
ture in  1915.  In  preparing  the  amended  Bill  there  were 
numerous  conferences  of  attorneys  representing  the  Park  police- 
men and  Committees  representing  the  Park  Commissioners,  in 
all  of  which  conferences  I  participated. 

Lincoln  Park-Sheridan  Road  Act 

This  Act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  in  1913.  There 
was  a  lack  of  clearness  in  regard  to  the  powers  to  be  exercised 
by  the  Commissioners  over  the  sections  of  the  road  to  be  taken 
in  the  villages.  The  method  provided  for  the  levying  of  drive- 
way maintenance  tax  apparently  gave  the  Commissioners  power 
to  coerce  the  villages  into  making  such  levy. 

These  two  objections  to  the  Act  resulted  in  the  refusal  of 
some  of  the  villages  to  turn  over  control  of  their  portions  of 
the  road  to  the  Commissioners.  I  worked  with  the  attorney 
representing  the  Sheridan  Road  Improvement  Association  upon 
an  amendment  which,  in  a  measure,  cleared  up  the  objections. 

The  laws  controlling  the  situation  are  such  that  no  really 
efficient  Act  can  be  passed  vesting  in  the  Commissioners  con- 
trol and  the  right  to  directly  levy  a  tax  in  the  villages,  unless 
such  Act  would  be  submitted  by  referendum  to  the  voters  of 
each  municipality  and  adopted  by  them.  The  Commissioners 
then  would  become  corporate  authorities  and  in  that  way  could 
make  a  direct  levy.  But  the  sponsors  for  a  unified  Sheridan 
Road  realize  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  obtain  the  sanction 
of  the  voters  in  many  of  the  villages.  As  the  law  now  stands 
the  Village  Authorities  can  refuse  to  make  a  levy  for  any  year 
even  though  control  had  been  turned  over  to  the  Commis- 
sioners, and  there  is  no  method  of  compelling  such  a  levy.  At 
most,  the  Commissioners  will  have  a  year  to  year  problem  with 
each  village,  and  as  far  as  I  can  see  the  only  security  of  a  unified 

Page  Twenty-nine 


Sheridan  Road  would  be  good  service  on  the  part  of  the  Com- 
missioners and  good  will  on  the  part  of  the  villages. 

I  believe  that  the  importance  of  a  unified  Sheridan  Road 
is  such  that  the  Commissioners  are  justified  in  accepting  the 
tender  of  any  municipality  of  its  portion  of  the  road.  The 
Villages  of  Wilmette,  Glencoe  and  Kenilworth  have  turned  over 
control  and  the  Commissioners  have  accepted  the  road  in  those 
villages,  but  I  have  advised  that  no  estimate  be  submitted  for 
the  levy  of  a  driveway  maintenance  tax  until  the  road  is  per- 
manently improved  in  such  villages. 

It  is  my  view  of  the  law  that  the  Commissioners  should 
not  take  over  actual  control  of  any  portion  of  the  road  and  ask 
for  the  levy  of  a  tax  on  the  municipality  until  the  village  has 
by  special  tax  or  special  assessment  made  the  initial  permanent 
improvement. 

Broadway  and  Cornelia  Property 

The  Commissioners  now  own  a  tract  of  land  at  Broadway 
and  Cornelia  Street,  which  was  acquired  from  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois in  exchange  for  a  portion  of  the  land  owned  by  the  Com- 
missioners at  Chicago  Avenue.  This  exchange  was  effected 
by  a  Bill  which  was  enacted  in  1915  (Laws  of  1915,  page  538) . 
The  title  to  the  property  at  Broadway  and  Cornelia  Street  is  now 
vested  in  the  Commissioners  with  power  given  it  to  sell  or  dis- 
pose of  the  same  by  complying  with  the  provisions  of  the  Act. 

Lincoln  Park  Extension  Bonds  of  1916 

These  bonds  were  issued  under  the  provisions  of  an  Act 
of  the  General  Assembly  passed  in  1915  (Laws  of  1915,  page 
537).  In  procuring  the  passage  of  this  Act  considerable  oppo- 
sition developed  in  the  General  Assembly,  which  required  no 
small  effort  on  the  part  of  the  Commissioners  to  overcome.  I 
think  it  can  be  safely  said  that  the  passage  of  this  Act  is  a  monu- 
ment to  the  energy  and  persuasiveness  of  Mr.  George  D.  Crow- 
ley,  who  worked  with  unremitting  zeal  at  Springfield  to  secure 
the  enactment  of  the  Act.  This  bond  issue  was  submitted  at 
an  election  of  the  voters  of  the  Lincoln  Park  District  and  was 
approved  by  an  overwhelming  vote.  The  bonds  have  been 
issued  and  sold. 
Page  Thirty 


Motor  Bus  Ordinance 

Application  was  made  for  the  privilege  of  operating  motor 
buses  upon  the  boulevards  under  the  control  of  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Lincoln  Park.  Careful  study  of  the  legal  phases  of  the 
matter  was  made  and  at  the  request  of  the  Board,  in  company 
with  Mr.  George  T.  Donoghue,  the  Chief  Engineer,  an  investi- 
gation of  the  motor  bus  operation  in  New  York  was  made,  and 
from  the  information  gathered  an  ordinance  was  drawn  which 
was  accepted  by  the  Chicago  Motor  Bus  Company,  all  the 
terms  of  the  ordinance  have  been  complied  with  by  the  Com- 
pany. 

Extension  of  Lake  Shore  Drive  to  Municipal  Pier 

Under  an  agreement  made  with  the  City  of  Chicago,  the 
Commissioners  extended  Lake  Shore  Drive  from  Ohio  Street 
to  Grand  Avenue  and  constructed  a  connection  of  the  Drive 
to  the  City's  land  in  front  of  the  Municipal  Pier.  A  fifty-foot 
strip  outside  the  breakwater,  which  became  the  property  of  the 
Commissioners,  was  filled  in  at  the  expense  of  the  City.  This 
connection  with  the  Municipal  Pier  can  be  of  great  value  as  the 
nucleus  of  a  new  boulevard  link  joining  the  South  Park  and 
Lincoln  Park  Boulevards  at  a  moderate  expense. 

Riparian  Rights  of  the  Marine  Hospital  Grounds 

The  Riparian  Rights  of  the  Marine  Hospital  Grounds 
under  the  control  of  the  United  States  Government  have  never 
been  surrendered  to  the  Commissioners.  The  breakwater  to 
be  constructed  for  the  new  extension  of  the  Park  will  reach 
a  point  opposite  the  south  line  of  the  Marine  Hospital  site. 
Accretions  will  form  in  front  of  this  tract  of  land,  and  in  antici- 
pation of  this  situation,  the  Commissioners  approved  my  course 
in  taking  up  negotiations  with  officials  of  the  Marine  Hospital 
and  Representatives  in  Congress  to  obtain  a  surrender  of  the 
Riparian  Rights  of  the  Government.  I  also  conferred  with  the 
Department  heads  in  Washington.  The  matter  now  has  the 
sanction  and  consent  of  the  officials,  but  the  power  to  make  the 
surrender  must  be  conferred  by  an  Act  of  Congress.  I  pre- 

}Page    Thirty-one 


pared  a  Bill  which  has  been  introduced  in  Congress  authoriz- 
ing this  action.    The  Bill  is  now  pending  in  Committee. 

I  think  this  matter  should  be  followed  up  promptly  at  the 
present  session  of  Congress  so  as  to  procure  the  enactment  of 
the  Bill  and  start  proceedings  to  obtain  a  surrender  of  the 
Riparian  Rights.  If  the  matter  is  permitted  to  drag  along,  accre- 
tions will  form  in  front  of  the  lands  and  very  serious  obstacles 
might  arise  to  embarrass  the  work  of  the  Commissioners. 

Rivers  and  Lakes  Commission  Cases 

The  Rivers  and  Lakes  Commission,  an  agency  of  the 
State,  assumed  authority  to  regulate  and  govern  submerged 
lands  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan  in  the  Lincoln  Park 
District  and  entered  orders  against  George  K.  Spoor  and  Peter 
F.  Reynolds  directing  them  to  remove  piers  and  breakwaters 
which  they  had  erected  opposite  their  lands,  under  permits  of 
the  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park.  The  Riparian  Rights  of 
these  properties  had  been  determined  by  decree  of  the  Circuit 
Court  and  permanent  boundary  lines  established. 

I  attended  a  hearing  of  the  Rivers  and  Lakes  Commission 
and  protested  against  their  assumption  of  authority  over  sub- 
merged lands  in  the  Lincoln  Park  District.  The  Commission 
disregarded  my  protest  and  entered  the  orders  above  mentioned. 
The  property  owners  have  appealed  from  the  orders  to  the  Cir- 
cuit Court  of  Sangamon  County,  which  is  the  forum  for  appeals 
from  the  orders  of  the  Rivers  and  Lakes  Commission.  I  have 
assisted  the  attorneys  representing  these  property  owners,  but 
have  not  entered  the  appearance  of  the  Commissioners,  because 
I  did  not  think  it  advisable  to  have  the  Commissioners'  powers 
adjudicated  in  this  proceeding.  The  controversy,  however,  will 
be  helpful  in  determining  whether  or  not  the  proceedings  which 
the  Commissioners  have  followed  in  acquiring  Riparian  Rights 
are  valid. 

I  have  carried  through  proceedings  for  the  acquiring  of 
Riparian  Rights  and  settling  boundary  lines  with  a  number  of 
shore  owners  and  will  continue  dealing  with  shore  owners  on 
the  same  basis  until  the  Supreme  Court  decides  that  another  or 
different  course  must  be  followed  by  the  Commissioners. 

Page  Thirty-two 


Affeld-Rienzi   Company  Case 

This  was  suit  brought  by  Charles  Affeld  to  remove  as  a 
cloud  upon  the  title  of  property  which  he  had  sold  to  the  Rienzi 
Company,  obligations  of  a  contract  for  the  payment  of  annual 
sums  of  money  for  the  maintenance  of  Diversey  Parkway. 
The  issues  were  decided  in  favor  of  the  Commissioners  in  the 
Superior  Court,  but  upon  appeal  to  the  Appellate  Court  the 
contract  was  declared  void. 

There  are  a  number  of  contracts  outstanding  between 
property  owners  and  the  Commissioners  for  the  payment  of  an 
annual  sum  for  the  maintenance  of  driveways.  The  conditions 
surrounding  these  contracts  are  somewhat  different  than  the 
Diversey  Parkway  contract.  I  recommended  to  the  Commis- 
sioners that  a  test  case  be  filed  upon  one  of  the  other  contracts, 
and  the  Commissioners  concurred  in  this  request.  I  have  been 
unable  to  take  this  matter  up  because  of  the  urgent  matters  for 
the  Park  which  engaged  so  much  of  my  time  during  the  past 
year.  There  should  be  an  adjudication  upon  these  contracts. 
If  they  are  void,  they  should  be  abandoned.  If  they  are  valid, 
they  should  be  enforced.  The  opinion  in  the  Rienzi  case  is  not 
yet  published  in  the  Illinois  Appellate  Court  Reports. 

In  the  preparation  and  trial  of  the  Rienzi  case  it  was  shown 
that  the  cost  of  maintaining  Diversey  Parkway  was  approx- 
imately sixty  cents  a  foot,  which  did  not  include  the  cost  of 
installing  boulevard  lamps.  The  experience  obtained  was  help- 
ful in  making  recommendations  which  the  Commissioners  acted 
upon,  that  no  additional  streets  or  parts  of  streets  be  taken  over 
from  the  city  under  property  owners'  contracts  to  pay  for  the 
maintenance  of  such  streets.  The  Commissioners  refused  to 
accept  additional  portions  of  Dearborn  Avenue,  North  State 
Street,  North  Park  Avenue,  LaSalle  Street,  Clarendon  Avenue, 
Montrose  Boulevard  and  Addison  Avenue,  the  acceptance  of 
which  would  have  added  a  heavy  burden  upon  the  revenues  of 
the  Park  and  would  have  resulted  in  no  benefit  except  to  the 
property  owners  on  these  streets. 

Page  Thirty-three 


Recommendation 

I  would  recommend  that  there  be  an  effort  made  to  bring 
about  legislation  which  would  place  upon  the  owners  of  prop- 
erty fronting  the  boulevards  some  proportion  of  the  cost  of 
rebuilding  of  the  pavements  and  installing  boulevard  lights. 
The  property  owners  pay  for  the  initial  improvement  but  do 
not  pay  for  the  rebuilding  of  the  pavement.  The  service  given 
to  the  boulevards  should  be  a  sufficient  contribution  of  the 
district  without  the  district  paying  for  the  rebuilding  of 
the  pavements,  particularly  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
traffic  teams  are  excluded  from  the  boulevards  and  the 
excess  burden  of  heavy  traffic  is  thrown  upon  city  streets 
where  the  frontage  owners  are  required  to  pay  for  the  cost  of 
repaving.  I  believe  that  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  has  worked  out 
a  plan  by  which  the  extension  of  boulevards  is  equitably  car- 
ried out.  I  did  not  have  an  opportunity  of  investigating  this 
plan  fully,  but  I  believe  that  it  would  be  a  proper  subject  for 
inquiry  by  the  Commissioners  to  investigate  the  methods 
employed  there, 

Illinois  Malleable  Iron  Company  Case 

This  was  a  suit  brought  by  the  Illinois  Malleable  Iron  Com- 
pany, whose  place  of  business  is  located  on  Diversey  Parkway. 
Their  traffic  teams  were  excluded  from  the  boulevard  and  they 
sought  to  have  the  Commissioners  enjoined  from  enforcing  the 
ordinances  excluding  such  traffic.  The  case  was  taken  to  the 
Supreme  Court,  where  the  validity  of  the  ordinance  was  upheld. 
This  case  was  the  first  expression  by  that  court  of  the  power 
of  the  Park  Commissioners  to  exclude  traffic  teams  from  boule- 
vards. It  is  reported  in  263  Illinois  Reports,  446. 

Lincoln  Park  Tax  Case 

An  attack  was  made  upon  the  Lincoln  Park  Tax  in  the 
year  1915.  $25,000  of  the  levy  was  held  up  pending  the  deci- 
sion of  the  Supreme  Court,  where  the  Lincoln  Park  Tax  was 
sustained.  This  case  was  of  importance,  because  for  the  first 
time  the  Supreme  Court  passed  upon  the  method  of  levying 

Page  Thirty-four 


the  Lincoln  Park  Tax.  Had  the  objections  been  sustained,  the 
Town  of  Lake  View  would  have  to  pay  an  equal  proportion  of 
the  general  tax  and  all  of  the  tax  necessary  to  pay  interest  and 
discharge  indebtedness  on  the  Bond  Issue  of  1903,  which  was 
a  Lake  View  obligation  for  the  extension  of  the  Park.  An 
equitable  method  was  employed  in  1 9 1  5  by  which  Lake  View 
assumed  a  smaller  proportion  of  the  general  tax  and  allowed 
the  1903  bond  levy  tax  to  bring  up  the  tax  rate  to  a  uniform 
amount  with  the  Town  of  North  Chicago,  which  method  was 
held  to  be  just  and  fair.  The  1916  tax  was  levied  upon  this 
equitable  plan  and  no  objections  were  made  to  its  collection. 

This  case  is  reported  in  270  Illinois  Reports,  page  477. 

Galpin  Case 

The  case  of  Homer  Galpin  vs.  the  City  of  Chicago  and 
other  defendants,  concerns  the  disposition  of  money  which 
was  collected  by  Galpin,  as  Clerk  of  the  Municipal  Court,  in 
payment  of  fines  and  forfeitures.  The  case  was  taken  to  the 
Supreme  Court,  where  it  was  decided  that  the  Commissioners 
were  not  entitled  to  any  portion  of  the  moneys  collected  for 
the  violation  of  Park  ordinances,  such  moneys  under  the  law 
being  for  the  use  of  the  schools.  The  fines  under  the  Motor 
Vehicle  Law,  since  the  adoption  of  the  Police  Pension  Fund, 
now  go  to  that  body. 

The  decision  in  this  case  is  of  no  large  importance  to  the 
Commissioners. 

Jtettfring  Hftiption 

John  Williams,  et  al.  vs.  The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park, 
et  al.    Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  No.  1 46. 

This  was  suit  started  by  John  Williams,  Chief  of  the  Poka- 
gon  Band  of  Pottawattomie  Indians  against  the  Commissioners 
of  Lincoln  Park,  the  South  Park  Commissioners,  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  and  others.  The  Indians  claim  title  to  sub- 
merged lands  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  and  all  lands 
which  have  been  reclaimed  from  the  bed  of  the  lake.  The  suit 
was  dismissed  in  the  United  States  District  Court  and  was  taken 

Page  Thirty-live 


on  appeal  to  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  where  it  is  now 
pending.  Briefs  have  been  filed  by  all  the  defendants  and  the 
matter  will  be  determined  shortly  in  the  Supreme  Court.  I  am 
reasonably  certain  that  the  claim  of  the  Indians  will  fail. 

John  Miller  vs.  The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park,  Supreme 

Court  of  Illinois,  No.  11185. 

John  Miller,  the  owner  of  four  lots  on  Sheridan  Road  lying 
North  of  Addison  Street,  claims  Riparian  Rights  east  of  Sheri- 
dan Road.  His  contention  is  that  the  Riparian  Rights  were  not 
taken  by  the  condemnation  proceedings  in  1891  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  road.  William  C.  Goudy,  President  of  the 
Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park,  made  an  agreement  upon 
which  Miller  claims  the  Commissioners  are  estopped  from 
asserting  title  to  Riparian  Rights  outside  the  drive. 

Counsel  for  Miller  wrote  to  the  Commissioners  setting 
up  claim  to  all  of  the  accretions  which  had  formed  eastward 
of  the  drive.  These  accretions  extended  out  to  the  breakwater 
1 ,200  feet  from  the  shore.  Counsel  also  urged  that  the  Com- 
missioners bring  condemnation  proceedings  for  the  extinguish- 
ment of  Miller's  Riparian  Rights. 

I  declined  to  recommend  such  a  course  and  put  the  bur- 
den upon  Miller  to  prove  that  he  had  any  title  or  any  Riparian 
Rights.  He  then  filed  a  bill  in  the  Circuit  Court  to  enjoin  the 
Commissioners  from  the  extension  of  the  Park  until  his  Ri- 
parian Rights  were  acquired.  Our  demurrer  to  this  bill  was 
sustained  and  Miller  has  taken  an  appeal  to  the  Supreme  Court 
of  Illinois,  where  the  case  is  now  pending.  Briefs  of  the  Com- 
missioners were  filed  on  Monday,  December  1  1  th,  1916,  and 
the  case  will  be  argued  orally  on  December  21,  1916.  The 
character  of  the  defense  of  the  Commissioners  can  be  seen 
from  the  copies  of  the  brief  which  have  been  submitted  to  you. 

If  the  Miller  case  is  decided  in  favor  of  the  Commissioners 
I  would  recommend  that  the  Gormully  condemnation  case  be 
dismissed  on  motion  of  the  Commissioners,  because  the  determ- 
ination of  the  Miller  case  will  settle  all  controversy  growing 
out  of  the  construction  of  Sheridan  Road  from  Belmont  Ave- 
nue to  Byron  Street. 
Page  Thirty-six 


The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park  vs.  Angela  C.  Gormully, 
in  the  Superior  Court  of  Cook  County,  No.  278923. 

This  was  a  proceeding  brought  by  the  Commissioners  for 
the  condemnation  of  Riparian  Rights  outside  Sheridan  Road 
from  Cornelia,  South  to  Byron  Street.  This  case  has  been 
pending  since  April,  1910.  The  merits  of  the  case  will  be  prac- 
tically decided  in  the  John  Miller  case  hereinbefore  referred  to, 
and  should  be  dismissed  if  the  Supreme  Court  decides  against 
John  Miller. 

Conroy  vs.  Nix,  Circuit  Court  of  Cook  County,  No.   425 1 . 

This  is  suit  in  equity  between  contending  claimants  for 
ownership  of  all  the  lands  in  the  tract  commonly  known  as 
Streeterville.  The  Commissioners  are  made  defendants  and  an 
injunction  is  asked  against  it  from  clouding  the  title  to  the  land. 
The  claimants  in  the  case  hold  title  under  Captain  Streeter. 
The  suit  was  dismissed  for  want  of  prosecution,  but  no  doubt 
will  be  revived.  It  is  a  case  which  must  be  followed  up,  but  it 
appears  to  be  without  any  merit. 

Rummler  &  Rummler  vs.  The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park, 
Municipal  Court,  Case  No.  526827. 

This  is  a  case  in  which  Rummler  &  Rummler,  attorneys, 
claim  fees  due  them  from  the  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park. 
I  put  in  a  defense  which  caused  the  attorneys  to  file  their  claim 
with  the  Court  of  Claims,  but  the  case  is  still  pending  in  the 
Municipal  Court. 

City  of  Chicago  vs.  Samuel  A.  Cahn  and  The  Commissioners 
of  Lincoln  Park,  County  Court,  Case  No.  3731  1. 

This  is  a  case  for  the  condemnation  of  property  to  enlarge 
the  Municipal  Bathing  Beach  at  Clarendon  Avenue.  I  am 
advised  that  the  case  will  not  be  pushed  because  of  the  city's 
lack  of  funds  to  purchase  the  land.  The  rights  of  the  Commis- 
sioners in  this  tract  of  land  may  be  of  considerable  value.  I 
have  not  thoroughly  investigated  the  facts  as  yet. 

Page  Thirty-seven 


Vincent  Buskewicz,  Administrator  of  Estate  of  Kazimir  Halas, 
vs.  The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park,  in  the  Superior 
Court  No.  303829. 

This  is  a  claim  against  the  Commissioners  for  damages 
growing  out  of  the  death  of  Kazimir  Halas,  a  boy  who  was  in 
the  employ  of  the  Commissioners  at  the  Lemont  plant.  The 
circumstances  surrounding  the  death  of  this  boy  were  such  that 
I  recommended  that  the  Commissioners  pay  compensation  to 
the  members  of  his  family  who  are  very  poor.  The  Commis- 
sioners authorized  me  to  pay  $1,000  upon  condition  that  suit 
would  be  dismissed  and  that  the  money  be  paid  directly  to  the 
mother  of  the  family.  Mr.  Frank  P.  Sadler,  the  attorney  for 
the  estate,  declined  to  dismiss  the  suit,  and  the  money  has  not 
as  yet  been  paid.  I  believe  that  this  money  should  be  paid. 

Compilation  of  Park  Laws. 

The  Commissioners  requested  me  to  compile  a  book  of 
Park  Laws  and  procure  the  publication  of  same.  I  did  some 
work  in  preparation  of  this  volume,  but  the  proposal  to  put 
the  Park  Consolidation  Act  upon  the  ballot  caused  me  to  defer 
action  as  the  adoption  of  the  Park  Consolidation  Act  would  have 
dispensed  with  the  necessity  of  a  book  of  Lincoln  Park  Laws. 

I  procured  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  such  a  book  from 
one  of  the  law  book  publishers,  the  amount  being  approximately 
$2,000.  I  informally  reported  this  fact  to  some  of  the  Commis- 
sioners and  it  was  their  judgment  that  the  expense  was  too  great 
to  be  assumed  by  the  Board  and  that  the  matter  be  left  for  the 
consideration  of  the  incoming  Board. 

General 

I  recommend  that  the  practice  be  adopted  of  taking  cash 
deposits  wherever  possible  in  lieu  of  indemnifying  bonds.  The 
result  is  that  there  have  been  fewer  controversies  over  disputed 
bills  and  accounts  than  heretofore. 

All  matters  involving  contracts  of  any  importance  were 
incorporated  in  written  agreements  and  secured  by  bonds.  I 
am  pleased  to  say  that  no  controversies  involving  the  Commis- 

Page  Thirty-eight 


sioners  grew  out  of  any  of  the  contracts  that  were  prepared  dur- 
ing the  term  that  I  served  as  attorney  for  the  Board,  and  no 
occasion  was  had  to  invoke  liability  on  any  bond. 

I  endeavored  to  promptly  reply  to  all  inquiries  received 
from  the  Commissioners  or  the  public.  I  gave  a  great  deal  of 
time  to  conferences  in  the  office  with  people  who  sought  infor- 
mation relative  to  the  Park  and  the  laws  governing  same. 

I  have  tried  at  all  times  to  treat  the  work  connected  with 
Lincoln  Park  as  a  matter  of  first  importance,  and  gave  it  prece- 
dence over  my  private  practice. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

FRANCIS  O'SHAUGHNESSY, 
Attorney  for  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park. 


Statistics 


I  am  of  the  opinion  that  this  report  would  not  be  com- 
plete without  the  following  information,  and  therefore  ask  the 
privilege  of  introducing  it. 

Acreage  and  Boundary  Lines  of  the  Lincoln  Park  System 

Parks  Acreage  Boundary 

Lincoln  Park  353.99          Diversey    Parkway    on    the 

North,  Lake  Michigan  on  the 
East  to  Ohio  St.,  the  west 
property  line  of  Lake  Shore 
Drive  on  the  west  to  Oak  St., 
south  property  line  of  Oak  St. 
to  Lincoln  Parkway,  west 
property  line  of  Lincoln  Park- 
way to  North  Ave.,  North  Ave. 
on  the  south  to  Clark  St., 
Clark  St.,  Lincoln  Park  West, 
and  Lake  View  Ave.,  on  the 
west  to  Diversey  Parkway. 

Page   Thirty-nine 


Lincoln  Park  Extension  212.52 
1903—1913 


Lincoln  Park  Extension    1  7 
1916 


Hamlin  Park 


8.64 


Welles  Park 


8.17 


Seward  Park 


1.78 


Stanton  Park 


4.78 


Lake  Shore  Playground     9. 1 6 


Union  Square 


.46 


Fullerton  Parkway  and  the 
lake  north  to  Cornelia  Ave., 
west  to  Sheridan  Road,  south 
to  Diversey  Parkway,  and  east 
to  Lake  Shore  Drive. 

Representing  portion  of  Ex- 
tension lying  North  of  Cornelia 
filled   in  with  avails   of    1916 
Bond  Issue  during  season   of 
1916. 

Barry  Ave.  on  the  north, 
Wellington  Ave.  on  the  south, 
Robey  St.  on  the  east,  and 
Hoyne  Ave.  on  the  west. 

Western  Ave.  on  the  west, 
Sunnyside  Ave.  on  the  north, 
and  Montrose  Boul.  on  the 
south. 

Elm  St.  on  the  north,  Or- 
leans St.  on  the  east,  Hill  St. 
on  the  south,  and  Sedgwick  St. 
on  the  west. 

Gardner  St.  on  the  west, 
Rees  St.  on  the  north,  Vine  St. 
on  the  east,  and  Vedder  St.  on 
the  south. 

Lake  Shore  Drive  on  the 
east,  Pearson  St.  on  the  north, 
and  Chicago  Ave.  on  the  south 

Goethe  St.  on  the  north,  and 
Astor  St.  on  the  west. 


Total  Acreage  6 16.50  Acres. 


Page  Forty 


Boulevards  Under 

the  Control  of  the 

Commissioners  of 

Lincoln  Park 

Names  of  Boulevards 

Length 

Width 

Lincoln  Parkway 

1,545ft. 

30ft. 

"               •• 

1,503  " 

56  " 

Lake  Shore  Drive 

3,251   " 

50  " 

4<                                It                            it 

5,533  " 

45  " 

tt                                II                             II 

3,160  " 

40  " 

North  Ave.  Parkway 

1,382  " 

30  M 

Dearborn  Parkway 

571   " 

36  " 

North  State  Parkway 

1,192  " 

34  " 

Lincoln  Park  West 

2,360  " 

30  " 

Fullerton  Parkway 

1,580  " 

36  " 

ii                 ii 

1,057  " 

32  " 

Diversey  Parkway 

12,083  " 

38  " 

Sheridan   Road 

22,053  " 

40  " 

ii              ii 

4,643  " 

45  " 

Garfield  Ave. 

142  " 

34  " 

Total  60,055   feet 

It  is  indeed  a  source  of  great  satisfaction  to  report  that  the 
unselfish  and  whole-hearted  assistance  and  counsel  given  by  the 
Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park  to  the  administrative  heads 
of  the  Lincoln  Park  System  has  made  the  burden  of  work  light, 
and,  that  co-operation,  exemplified,  has  been  carried  through 
each  and  every  department  of  the  Park  System,  with  the  result 
that  departmental  accomplishments  are  considered  secondary, 
by  all  department  managers,  to  accomplishments  which  make 
for  the  welfare  and  the  conservation  of  the  interests  of  Lincoln 
Park  and  its  millions  of  admirers. 

The  present  year —  1 9 1  6 — will  best  serve  to  advise  you  of 
the  progressive  care  exercised  in  the  appropriating  and  the 
spending  of  the  moneys  received  for  Park  purposes,  a  detailed 
account  of  which  follows : 

Receipts  and  Expenditures  for  Year  1916 

Receipts 
Actual  Receipts  from  Taxes  $759,684.88 

Page  Forty-one 


Estimated  Receipts  from  Taxes  held 
by  County  Treasurer,  account  of 
Suits  pending  in  Supreme  Court — 


Will  be  paid  about  Feb.  15,  1917 

60,000.00 

Estimated  General  Park  Receipts 
Expenditures 

20,000.00 

Actual 

Fixed  Charges  —              Budget 

Expense 

Interest  on  Shore  Pro- 

tection Bonds               $  2,000.00 

$  2,000.00 

Interest  on  Park  Exten- 

sion Bonds                    29,760.00 

29,311.11 

Academy  of  Sciences 
Contract                           8,500.00 

7,932.17 

Sinking  Fund  Park 
Extension                      39,000.00 

Park  Maintenance  — 

Administration                $40,000.00 

$39,089.42 

Engineering                            5,000.00 

4,314.26 

Police                                80,000.00 

75,756.79 

Floral                                 30,000.00 

23,552.97 

Zoo                                    45,000.00 

40,740.32 

Nursery                                4,000.00 

3,037.04 

Recreations                          8,000.00 

5,819.75 

Music                                   5,000.00 

5,247.25 

Bathing  Beaches                25,000.00 

16,432.27 

Lake  Shore  Playground     1  2,000.00 

6,906.18 

Comfort  Stations               1  5,000.00 

14,161.11 

Lawns                                 40,000.00 

50,530.51 

Trees  and  Shrubs              28,000.00 

21,803.92 

Drives                                 30,000.00 

19,304.76 

Walks                                   5,000.00 

8,596.15 

Boulevards                         45,769.00 

61,801.79 

Water  System                       7,500.00 

18,040.18 

Sewer  System                        2,500.00 

2,848.28 

Insurance                                 1  ,000.00 

2,874.86 

Compensation  Act               5,000.00 

2,176.57 

Boat  Club                               1,500.00 

381.89 

Page  Forty-two 

$839,684.88 


39,243.28 


Motor  Boat  Docks            2,000.00  655.65 

Civil  Service                       7,500.00  5,243.32 

Shore  Protection                   3,000.00  2,688.83 

Interest                                     3,000.00  2,135.79 

Golf  Course                      1 7,250.00  1 4,055.36 

Bridle  Paths                       4,500.00  2,139.27 

Bridge  Repairs                         500.00  637.53 

Refectory  37.14* 

Unclassified                        5,400.00  11,864.94 

462,799.82 

$478,419.00 

Self  Paying  Accounts  $      5,000.00 

Boats  $  3,638.72* 

Electrical  46,426.27 

Heating  16,549.78 

Laundry  1,491.97 

Mechanical  and  Repair  20,365.15 
Dearborn,  Lincoln  and 

N.  State  Parkways  2,300.27 

Stable  372.06* 

Stores  8,795.81 

Machinery  and  Equipment  2,761.53 

94,680.00 


*Deduct. 

Improvements — 
Lake  Shore  Playground 

Field  House  $35,100.00     $  5,612.42 

Lake  Shore  Drive — 

Ohio  to  Grand  Ave.       5,996.00         5,445.54 
Lake  Shore  Drive — 

Delaware  to  Ohio  St.     27,836.00        1 9,876.87 
New  Lighting — 

Diversey  Parkway          30,280.36        1 3,006.62 
New  Lighting — 

East  Drive  5,357.00 

New  Lighting — 

Stockton  Drive  34,375.00 

Page  Forty-three 


New  Lighting — 

Lake  Shore  Drive  6,827.70         5,544.64 

Conduit  Line — 

HamlinPark  1,760.00 

Ten  Island  Lights  2,000.00 

Golf  Shelter  20,000.00       25,214.06 

Chicago  Telephone  Co.     1 0,200.00  1.10 

New  Walk — Concrete 

Bridge  South  981.97 

Repairing  Diversey 

Parkway  80.34 

75,763.56 


$179,732.06 


Total  Expenditures  to  Nov.  30,  1 9 1 6  $672,486.66 

Balance  Available  Dec.  1 ,  1 9 1 6,  to  Jan.  1,1917        1 67, 1 98.22 


$839,684.88 
Park  Extension — 
Main  Land  and  Marine  $  1 93,9 1 8.92 

Picnic  Island  25,247.71 

$219,166.63 

North  Chicago  Small  Parks — 

Estimated  Receipts,  1916  $36,01 0.55 

SewardPark  $19,814.32 

Stanton  Park  1  7,462.56 

37,276.88 


Deficit  $1,266.33 

Lake  View  Small  Parks — 

Estimated  Receipts,  1916  $42,364.4 1 

HamlinPark  $20,696.01 

Welles  Park  13,228.17 

33,924.18 

Balance  Available  $8,440.23 

In  contrast  with  the  findings  of  the  Security  Audit  Com- 
pany of  Illinois,  after  having  made  a  complete  audit  of  the 
books  and  records  of  Lincoln  Park  for  the  period  beginning 
January  1st,  1911,  and  ending  July  31st,  1913,  I  beg  to  quote 
their  "second  observation": 


"Second — That  in  place  of  a  surplus  at  the  1  st  of 
January,  1913,  of  $22,287.35,  as  shown  by  the  pub- 
lished statement,  there  was  a  deficit  of  $24,378.33." 
and  I  ask  that  you  compare  it  with  the  following  maximum  esti- 
mate for  the  year  1916. 

Estimated  Expenses  for  December,  1916 

Balance  available  Dec.  1  st,  1916,  to 

Jan.  1st,  1917,  $167,198.22 

Park  Extension  Sinking  Fund, 

1st  Issue  $39,000.00 

Interest  on  Park  Extension  Bonds, 

3rd  Issue— Due  Jan.  1  st,  1 9 1  7  20,000.00 

Maximum  Expense  for  General  Park 

Maintenance,   Dec.    1st,    1916,   to 

Jan.  1st,  1917,  70,000.00 

129,000.00 


Minimum  Surplus  Balance  for  1916  $38,198.22 

In  conclusion  I  beg  to  set  forth  a  complete  list  of  The 
Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park,  the  executive  officers  and 
department  managers  as  of  December  1st,  1916,  and  beg  to 
suggest  that  the  foregoing  summary  of  work  accomplished  in 
Lincoln  Park  during  the  years  191  3,  1914,  191  5  and  1916  has 
been  compiled  with  the  kind  assistance  of  the  department 
managers. 

The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park — 
Timothy  J.  O'Byrne,  President 
Nelson  N.  Lampert,  Vice-President 
John  P.  Friedlund,  Auditor 
Bernard  Jung 
Bertram  M.  Winston 
William  Rehm 
August  F.  Bruchman 

Officers — 

George  D.  Crowley,  Secretary 
Edwin  A.  Kanst,  Superintendent 

Page  Forty-five 


Frederick  H.  Rawson,  Treasurer 

Francis  O'Shaughnessy,  Attorney 

John  C.  Cannon,  Superintendent  of  Employment,  Civil 

Service  Department 
Charles  E.  Shaw,  Captain  of  Police 
Kent  W.  Black,  Bookkeeper 
George  T.  Donoghue,  Chief  Engineer 
Cyrus  B.  DeVry,  Director  Zoological  Department 
Chester  Fisher,  General  Foreman 
Claude  H.  Shepherd,  Electrical  Engineer  in  Charge 
George  Rogers,  General  Storekeeper 
Philip  Zimmer,  Mechanical  and  Repair  Department 
William  O.  Hamilton,  Manager  Stable  Department 
William  Hanks,  Heating  Engineer 
Rudolph  Schiele,  Head  Gardener 
Sigmunt  Wisniewski,  Head  Laundryman 
Charles  E.  Suiter,  General  Director  of  Playgrounds 
William  T.  Colman,  Marine  Engineer 
Maurice  D.  Blumberg,  Assistant  Engineer 

Andrew  N.  Rebori,  Special  Consulting  Architect 

Special  credit  in  the  collaboration  of  this  effort  is  due  Mr. 
Edwin  A.  Kanst,  Mr.  Francis  O'Shaughnessy,  Mr.  John  C.  Can- 
non and  Mr.  George  T.  Donoghue,  and  I  take  this  opportunity 
to  sincerely  thank  them  for  their  unselfish  co-operation. 

Respectfully  submitted, 
GEORGE  D.  CROWLEY, 
Secretary,  The  Commissioners  of  Lincoln  Park. 


Page  Forty-six 


